Job Description

Lead Production Chef

Location:

NW10 7PR

Full-time | Competitive Salary | Leadership Role

About Us

We're a growing premium food brand specialising in handcrafted frozen products -- from croquettes and arancini to other high-quality ready-to-heat dishes. Our focus is on combining artisan flavour with scalable, consistent production. We supply both retail and foodservice customers across the UK, with plans to expand into new markets.

The Role

We're looking for an experienced and driven

Lead Production Chef

to lead all aspects of our kitchen and manufacturing operations. You'll play a pivotal role in scaling up production while maintaining our artisan standards and exceptional product quality.

You'll oversee everything from day-to-day production planning to long-term process optimisation, managing a growing team, and ensuring we deliver safely, efficiently, and profitably.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and manage the production team to meet daily and weekly output targets. Oversee all food manufacturing processes -- from prep to packing -- ensuring consistency, quality, and efficiency. Develop and implement scalable systems and SOPs as the business grows. Work closely with the founders on capacity planning, cost control, and margin optimisation. Manage inventory, raw materials, and supplier relationships. Ensure full compliance with food safety (HACCP), health & safety, and hygiene standards. Identify and implement process improvements to drive productivity and reduce waste. Support new product launches, ensuring smooth transition from development to production. Recruit, train, and motivate a positive, high-performing production team.

About You

3+ years' experience in food manufacturing or large-scale kitchen production. Proven leadership in managing teams within a chilled, frozen, or ready-to-eat food environment. Strong understanding of SALSA, HACCP, food safety, and quality control. Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills. Commercially minded -- able to balance quality, efficiency, and profitability. Passionate about great food and building a scalable, values-led business.

Why Join Us?

Be part of an ambitious, fast-growing food brand redefining quality in the frozen category. Work directly with founders who are passionate about flavour, innovation, and craft. Opportunity to shape production systems, culture, and growth from the ground up. Competitive salary and long-term career progression as we scale nationally.
Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 34,000.00-40,000.00 per year

Experience:

Food production: 3 years (required)
Language:

English (required)
Location:

London NW10 (preferred)
Work Location: In person